A special feature of this exhibition is the museum concept of largely
dispensing with reconstructions and presenting original objects. In
addition to objects from the living environment of concentration camp
victims, real objects from the SS milieu are being increasingly shown for
the first time. Most of these exhibits are ideologically charged and so-
called “affirmative” objects with which the SS symbolised its internal
communitisation and elitist position. In order to avoid a fascination with
and exaggeration of the objects, a responsible sense of contextualisation
is required. This can be seen for example with the display of the
‘Julleuchter’. Himmler presented this ceramic candlestick with runic
symbols to married SS men. Candles were lit on the Yule, the surrogate
celebration for the Christian Christmas. The candlestick is thus an
example of the creation of a substitute religion. In the exhibition, the
intended use of the candlesticks is put in relation to their production.
They were made by prisoners from the Dachau and Neuengamme
concentration camps. The seemingly harmless appearance of the object
is thus placed in the context of SS crimes, here the exploitation of
concentration camp prisoners. Sober and neutral presentation strategies
such as the arrangement of the repository and mass presentation are
intended to remove any presumed sense of magic and mystery from the
objects. The showcases can be viewed from several sides and provide
various views of the objects; there is as such no fixed, predetermined
view of the exhibits, just as there is no predetermined view of the
history of the SS. In contrast to the sober presentation of “affirmative”
objects from the world of the SS, genuine objects from the realm of
concentration camps are intentionally exhibited in such a way that
the “aesthetic language” of these original objects should bear impact
on the visitors. The showcases surround the objects as protective
enclosures and accent lighting highlights their special features.
The SS Obergruppenführer Hall | Picture: M.
Groppe, 2010, Kreismuseum Wewelsburg
SIGHTSEEING
Quotations and reminiscences of contemporary witnesses and villagers
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